Tracking right, left, straight, whatever

[89Ru]

'97 Legacy OBW 211k just got a new aftermarket left front axle and tires all around. No problems noticed after the axle job. A week or two later, on the first test drive after putting on used tires with wrx wheels (Kumho Ecsta 215/55/16) the steering tracked right slightly. Figured it was unevenly worn tires. Drove a bit and noticed it tracks left sometimes, other times straight, but mostly slight to the right. I figure worn tires don't cause that. Then noted the power steering reservior was slightly low, changed the reservoir o-ring a few days ago. Thought that helped some, but this morning tracked hard right at low speeds for 100 yards or so, then backed off. Applying the brake seems to affect the tracking.

 

Could it be?

Loose strut or loose front end (axle job required strut bolts to be loosened)

Pin fell out of inner axle at trans (re-used old pin)

Crud in the power steering

Bad strut top bearing

Bad steering rack

 

thanks for any clues to this mystery

[naru]

Check for a stuck caliper first.

[idosubaru]

Stuck caliper is a great suggestion. Hand held laser thermometers are awesome here - will detect one side much hotter than another.

 

Warn steering rack bushings. Often accompanied by "delays" in steering, you turn but takes a split second to go the way you turn.

 

Could be tires? Got another set to install and see?

 

I doubt struts.

[89Ru]

Will check for a stuck caliper, just got a handheld gizmo a month ago. Haven't experienced any delays in steering that I can tell. Just seems a bit harder to steer with the sticky Kumho 215s (they barely fit). I can swap tires from another car.

Edited February 16, 2010 by 89Ru

[WoodsWagon]

Could be a bad strut top bearing, but usually you will hear the spring "twang" when it pops out of it's stuck spot in the bearing.

 

The other thing it could be is the steering coupler, but they will usually cause return-to-center issues after a turn.

 

If the bolts that hold the knuckle to the strut aren't tight, your camber will change based on conditions and will cause a pull.

[89Ru]

Knuckle-strut bolts were my first thought too, even though I cranked them to 140 ft lbs.

 

After a short drive, right REAR disc is 20 degrees hotter than the other side, makes sense, maybe its caliper is sticking and pulling the car to the right.

 

Great tip!

Edited February 16, 2010 by 89Ru

[Fairtax4me]

Could be a caliper. Could also be abnormal wear on your "new" tires. Check the tread depth on all rows across the tires in several places around the circumference.